I’m curious…with the compression craze in full swing, how many of you are using compression garments? If you use them, are you using them mainly for recovery, or, for training and racing too? I’ve done a lot of my long training runs this winter in compression tights, and I feel like they make a noticeable difference in how my legs feel, especially over the 90 minute mark. Anyone racing in these things? Finally, what’s your favorite brand and why?
Thanks…bring on the season!
nothing specifically designed to be ‘compression’ gear, but my running tights are tight and I can feel a difference in my calves and lower quads towards the end of my runs. Last spring and fall I also would ride in an under armor heat gear top under my jersey, and didn’t notice as much shoulder fatigue on long rides.
The effects weren’t really strong enough to make me want to wear either for more then just warmth though,
Dr. Scholls, because they’re 8 dollars at wal-mart.
I’ve used only 2XU compression calf guards while running.
A few months ago I was pretty concerned that I had a tibia stress fracture. But too stubborn (or stupid) to stop running, I taped the soft spot on my shin and ran every day while wearing the calf guards. My thought was that they would increase blood flow to the soft spot on my shin and maybe help heal it. (I have no idea if there’s any scientific basis to that logic; I was just experimenting out of desperation.) I also took a calcium supplement.
Even though I’ve steadily increased my mileage since then, I no longer have the shin pain or anything I would consider to be symptomatic of a stress fracture. I’m not sure how much the compression guards contributed, but results are results and I’m not complaining. So I’ve had a great experience with the compression clothing.
Picked up a long sleeve compression shirt on sale and I’ve been running in it all winter. I love it as far as fit/comfort. Not sold on the concept of fatigue reduction though. Might be more applicable to lower body comp garments.
All my runs over 10 miles this season have been in Zenzah Compression Calf sleeves. Why? They fit snug, my calves feel like a million dollars afterwards and I can wear my Injinji socks (the one’s with the individual toes) with them.
I’m totally sold on them.
Dave
Zoot compression tights for recovery. I notice a huge difference. I’m sold.
Zoot compression socks for distance running. Again, big difference in fatigue and recovery. Looks goofy but works.
Racing? Not sure yet. It’ll depend on course type and layout. Jury’s still out.
i have Skins compression tights and SLS3 compression socks. Use them both primarily for recovery…in fact, I have the tights on now (had a half mary race today). Run in them occasionally…usually longer runs.
I recover faster and my legs feel less beat up after long runs. They work for me.
Skins recovery tights and long sleeve shirt (i sleep in them)
cep sports running socks (running unless i am running sockless)
i was using vitasox or something like but after using cep, there is no comparison.
my wife runs in skins tights.
I think i am going to try zoot socks next.
I love the SKINS tights. I also sleep in them after long or intense days, and I’m pretty sure they help recovery. What do you think about wearing SKINS half tights underneath the tri suit, say, in a race situation. I swear I feel better running in the half tights than in the tri suit alone or tri shorts alone. I haven’t tried Zoot yet, but I heard they have a good product as well.
the compression part would be cool to wear them underneath, but i am not sure about chaffing with having 2 layers of material. Something you should try in training before a race though!
I wear my skins for about 2hrs after all my long (2hrs+) or hard workouts and find it really helps my recovery, my level of DOMS have been muhc less since using them
Andy
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I use Skins tight for recovery, long drive and long flight. Really like them.
Been doing long runs in Sugoi compression socks… not SUPER tight, but calves are happier. Just got my Zoot CompressionRX recovery tights in last Thursday. Been wearing them and granted I am on a taper, but did a hard 10k yesterday (6:58 a mile) and felt pretty good this morning… real test is after the marathon this coming Sunday!
2xu Elite Compression Tights are Great PLUS the Beaker Concepts Socks are awsome and very durable.
Eugene
Are compression tights or socks worth the effort in half and/or full ironman distance races?
with the compression craze in full swing, how many of you are using compression garments?
I wore some compression socks for the first time at the Underpants run at IMH. Does that count? 
I like the 2XU calf sleeves. I’ve been using them for all of my long runs so I used them during a 1/2 yesterday. My calves are hurting today so not sure if they did all that much. They are comfortable during running though.
I like doing my long runs in Sugoi’s knee high compression socks – I got them as a gift and didn’t think they would make much of a difference b/c they’re not that tight, but I was surprised. I don’t feel like they help much on shorter runs or races, but on long runs, my calves usually do feel better and recover faster. Could be the placebo effect, but I like’m. Regardless, they are less expensive than many of the other compression socks out there (around $30), and compression benefits aside, they are easily the best fitting pairs of socks that I own due to the fact that there is a designated left and right foot sock.
I got a pair of Zenzah compression calf sleeves and have used them for post race recovery, long training runs and recently used them during a 10k as it was cold and it was just a training race so I figured I would experiment. In all cases, I have been pleased with the results and feel my legs and calves benefit from them. Don’t know if I would use them in a hot race though.